Looking Back – 2/13/17 – Double Homicide in Delphi IN

February 13, 2017 – Libby German and Abby Williams were dropped off at the trail leading to the Monon High Bridge in Delphi Indiana at 1:35pm. Libby’s sister, Kelsi, dropped the girls off on the way to a friend’s home. They had made arrangements for Libby’s Father, Derrick to pick them up later in the afternoon.

At 2:07pm Libby uploaded two photos to Snapchat. Libby and Abby became suspicious of a man approaching them near the South end of the Monon High Bridge. As Abby trailed slightly behind, Libby took out her cell phone, pointed the camera over her shoulder and took video of the man as he approached. According to CNN, Libby began recording the video at 2:33pm.

It’s alleged that Abby asked Libby if the ‘creepy guy’ was still behind them with Libby replying ‘mhmm’. At some point Libby was overheard on the audio stating that they had reached the end of the trail ‘there’s nowhere else to go’ it’s believed she said. At some point the man told the girls ‘guys, go down the hill’.

The man Libby videotaped was later determined to be her killer.

At 3:07pm Derrick called Libby to inform her that he was on his way to pick her up. There was no answer. At 3:11pm he called again as he neared the trail area. By 3:13pm Derrick had arrived and called several more times receiving no answer. Around 3:30pm Derrick began walking towards the bridge when he encountered a witness believed to be Dan McCain. This witness told Derrick that he did not see the girls but he did see a couple (man and woman) under the bridge. Derrick then turned back around and returned to the parking lot and proceeded to contact other family members in regards to the girls whereabouts.

Other family members arrived around 4-4:30pm and Libby and Abby were reported to Delphi police as missing at 5:30pm. Police pinged Libby’s cell phone unsuccessfully and later stated that the cell phone must have been turned off or the battery had died. It was believed that the girls were not in immediate danger. Although some continued the search throughout the night, the official search was called off shortly after dark due to the dangerous terrain and lack of visibility in the darkness. Heat seeking drones did not pick up on any potential victims.

On Tuesday, February 14th, a local photographer saw girls clothing in Deer Creek approximately 75 yards from the bridge. A short time later Libby’s shoe was allegedly found on a section of private driveway that leads to a home. A searcher then allegedly saw a set of footprints around the creek area. One of the searchers then saw two deer across the creek and used his cell phone to get a better look. As he panned around he saw what appeared to be the bodies of the girls nearby. It was then, around 12:15pm, that another group of searchers were able to confirm that they had located two bodies.

Numerous witnesses are alleged to have visited the trail area around the time the girls were stalked and murdered. There are no confirmed reports that any of these witnesses saw the girls that day although it’s believed several saw the murder suspect. Witness accounts led to the creation of two sketches that were released two years apart. ISP Superintendent Doug Carter believes the suspect will look like a combination of both sketches.

The first suspect sketch released in July 2017 based upon witness recollections

The second suspect sketch released in April 2019 based upon additional ‘intelligence’ received by investigators – this sketch was actually drawn first but released secondary to new information

Despite a reward of over $220,000 there have been no arrests and there are currently no publicly named suspects.

It’s believed by some that the killer took Abby and Libby off the South end of the bridge, walked towards the end of the trail, down the first hill, potentially up the private drive where Libby’s shoe was allegedly found then down the second hill stopping near the creek area. It’s unknown to the public if the girls were attacked on the South side of the creek and then moved to the North side and placed where the bodies were found 50 ft from the creek or if they were murdered where they were found. There were several areas of potential activity between the South end of the bridge and the north side of the creek in which the girls were found based on investigative activity.

A still image captured from a video Libby German took as her killer approached towards the South end of the Monon High Bridge – it’s believed Abby’s jacket can be seen in the left edge of the frame

Police tape placed along the far end of the trail right off the South end of the Monon High Bridge

Investigators on the scene along the private drive near the South end of the Monon High Bridge

An investigator can be seen to the left as divers search Deer Creek

Flowers placed by family and friends at the location where Abby and Libby were found

Various unconfirmed witness accounts and other relative information pertaining to the case.  Please keep in mind – none of the searchers or witnesses are considered suspects:

Mike, Becky and Anna did see/hear the extra audio/video clip but they were not there together at the same time

In regards to the witness account of McCain aka FSG

Filing cabinet collage in Leazenby’s office